Council to create history with social housing made from straw

North Kesteven District Council will be the first local authority in the country to build straw houses to be used as social housing.

Planning applications for four straw homes are with North Kesteven District Council in Lincolnshire. The two applications for the two sites, in Martin and in Waddington, are for two semi-detached homes in each village.

The properties will be the first 'typical affordable council houses' to be built by a local authority using strawbale construction.

The houses are being designed by Amazonails, the UK's leading strawbale specialists, based in Todmorden, West Yorkshire. Locally sourced materials and labour will be used through A Hatcher and Sons from Sleaford, who have been contracted to build the homes.

The District Council has agreed to look at building one pair this year, with the intention of starting construction in late spring, early summer. There will then be potential for another pair in the following year.

The homes will be undistinguishable from conventional brick homes. However, the insulating benefits of straw will mean they will be three times more insulated.

Leader of North Kesteven District Council, Councillor Mrs Marion Brighton, OBE, said: "North Kesteven District Council is taking direct action to tackle the problem of providing affordable homes in the District.

"The proposed straw houses will help us to meet the District Council's Sustainability Agenda, whilst at the same time offering affordable housing to residents within the District.

"These straw houses are not only innovative, but also pioneering, as they are the first properties of this type to be built by a local authority to be used for social housing in the country. It's an exciting project and one that we are eagerly looking forward to completing.

"This is a scheme that has not been matched by any other local authority, and it is hoped these houses, built through this new type of technology, will set a leading example to developers, housing associations and other Councils throughout the country."

A further report on the project will be considered by the District Council's Executive Board once the outcome of the planning applications is known.